He admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to his Jack Russell terrier cross called Scooby, by failing to provide the necessary veterinary care for an infected tumour which had become maggot infested.

On 22nd July last year, Higgins took Scooby to a layby and pretended he had just come across the unwell dog. A vet happened to be driving by and stopped and took the dog back to her surgery.

Sadly, Scooby was put to sleep on veterinary advice that day to prevent any further suffering.

Jenny Anderton from RSPCA Wales, who attended the veterinary surgery where Scooby was taken to, said: “This is such an awful case which involved the serious neglect of a dog, who was suffering unnecessarily.

“The pictures of the tumour are very graphic and show the horrific condition of Scooby. The tumour had become ulcerated and during the hot weather had become infested with maggots and seriously infected. The vet also found Scooby to be very thin.

“It is just so sad that it came to this and Scooby wasn’t able to be saved. Mr Higgins is very remorseful.”

As well as a three year ban on keeping dogs, magistrates ordered Higgins to pay costs of £375.60 a fine of £120 and a £30 victim surcharge.

(The RSPCA also supplied several graphic images of Scooby however we have chosen not to publish them)